Press Releases Archives - Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Summer Sips & Sea Lions, July 11: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Celebrates New California Sea Lions at Pinniped Pier

Updated June 29, 2026 Posted June 25, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) invites guests to be among the first to meet its newest residents, California sea lions Tuna and Wahoo, during Summer Sips & Sea Lions, a special after-hours event on Saturday, July 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Expands Conservation, Education with New Pinniped Pier Habitat, Arrival of California Sea Lions

Updated June 26, 2026 Posted June 25, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is expanding its conservation and education message with the arrival of two California sea lions and the opening of Pinniped Pier, a new habitat that will provide guests with an immersive opportunity to learn about these charismatic marine mammals.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Names Dr. Anmari Alvarez-Aleman as New Senior Vice President of Research and Conservation

Updated June 26, 2026 Posted June 23, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) and Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) announce the appointment of Dr. Anmari Álvarez-Alemán as its new Senior Vice President of Research and Conservation, a key executive leadership role dedicated to advancing the organization’s global impact in marine science, conservation and education.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Launches Two New Habitats: Wings & Wildlife and Animal Connections Village

Posted June 5, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is spreading its wings in an exciting new way with the debut of Wings & Wildlife, a brand-new habitat introducing guests to several varieties of tropical birds and tortoises, as well as an Animal Connections Village with two sugar gliders, a chinchilla, and the addition of Benjamin the Virginia opossum.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Mourns the Loss of Dennis Kellenberger, Founder and First Executive Director

Posted May 31, 2026

It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Dennis Kellenberger, one of the founding figures of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.

Country Mile Entertainment Commences Principal Photography on “Christmas in Clearwater”

Posted May 29, 2026

Country Mile Entertainment has commenced principal photography on Christmas in Clearwater, a coastal Christmas romance starring Katrina Norman (Christmas in Homestead) and Ignacyo Matynia (My Nightmare Landlord), directed by Lindsay Hartley (The Recipe Files). Shooting on location in Florida’s Gulf Coast, the film features the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as both a primary setting and a central element of the story. Christmas in Clearwater is targeting a Christmas 2026 release.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Launches Inaugural “Seas the Day” Luncheon Fundraiser to Support Marine Life Rescue and Care

Posted May 14, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) proudly hosted its first-ever Seas the Day luncheon fundraiser on Thursday, April 30, bringing together community leaders, partners and supporters for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to marine life rescue, rehabilitation and conservation.

North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season Wraps with 23 Calves Spotted

Posted May 1, 2026

The 2025–2026 North Atlantic right whale calving season, which ran from November through April, concluded on a hopeful note with a total of 23 calves documented. This marks the first time in 15 years that more than 20 calves have been recorded in a single season—an encouraging milestone for this critically endangered species.

Ready, Set, Go! It’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season Again, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium is Back at the Beaches

Updated May 1, 2026 Posted April 30, 2026

Clearwater Marine Aquarium has officially kicked off its annual sea turtle nesting season patrol. Sea turtle nesting season officially runs May 1 through October 31 and marks a critical period as adult turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay eggs.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Scientists Collaborate to Publish First Abundance Estimate of Greater Caribbean Manatees in Belize

Updated May 1, 2026 Posted April 28, 2026

Researchers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI), in collaboration with partners across the United States, Belize and the wider Caribbean, have published the first statistically robust estimate of the population abundance and distribution of the Greater Caribbean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Belize.